Storage container systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Pursuant to some embodiments, a container system includes a container having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrally connected to the sidewalls, the bottom wall and sidewalls having an interior face defining an interior holding area of the container with an open top; and a lid, the lid having a lower face to directly interface with and cover the open top of the container and a plurality of stand-offs disposed on an upper surface of the lid, at least one of the stand-offs having a keyed configuration to receive a bottom of another container in a predetermined orientation.

BACKGROUND

Various products, including food products and spices, are typically soldin a wide variety of retail package sizes and configurations, includingcardboard boxes, plastic and paper bags, and bottles of varied sizes,shapes, and capacities. And, even when similar products from differentmanufacturers or brands have substantially the same amount of product ina package, for example one pound of a particular product, thosedifferent manufacturers' products may each be marketed in retailpackaging that is of a different shape or configuration. Some of thedifferences in package configurations may be attributable to themanufacturers trying to differentiate their product offerings from othercompeting brands, or to deliver a particular amount of product at aparticular price point to the end consumer, to which packageconfiguration contributes significantly.

Consumers, including residential and industrial users, typically storeproducts sold in the variety of package sizes and configurations in oron shelves, counters, and pantries. However, due to the variety ofpackage sizes and configurations, storing products in their retailpackaging is often an inefficient use of counter and/or shelf space.

And while many containers are available to enable a more efficient,organized, and appealing storage of these items, some key needs ofconsumers remain unmet by the presently available storage containersolutions. Specifically, at least three key problems remain. First, whena consumer removes product—e.g., rice, flour, pasta, or the like, fromits retail package, and decants said product into a storage container,it is often desirable to retain much of the information contained on orin the original retail packaging, e.g., brand, ingredient, nutritionalinformation and/or cooking instructions. It is common for consumers toremove this information from the original retail packaging by cutting itfrom the label, bag, or box, and placing these label excerpts inside thecontainer with the food items or, alternatively, taping the informationto the outside of the container, thereby relegating the consumer todigging through the food items or un-taping the label excerpts toretrieve the labeling information.

Second, when the volume of product inside a particular container getslow, and it becomes necessary to refill the container, it also becomesnecessary to procure and store a “back-up” box or bag of the food item.However, as it is oftentimes undesirable to comingle the new productwith the old, a user is required to store the new product until thecontainer is completely empty, only then refilling the container withthe new product. This necessitates the storing of redundant containersof the same product—the decanted older product in the nearly emptystorage container and the unopened container of new replacement product,thus consuming additional space in often already-over-crowded pantriesand cabinets.

Third, it is often desirable to store prepared foods under refrigerationto maintain freshness and food safety until the stored food is to beconsumed. But, sometimes the prepared foods are still warm frompreparation or service, or at room-temperature, and require the ambientcold from the refrigerated air to cool them down. However, stackingcontainers of still-warm food prevents airflow between containers.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide container systems andmethods that address these and other problems. Other advantages andfeatures will become apparent upon reading the following disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative retail package;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container system having a containercover, according to some embodiments herein;

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B are each cross-sectional views of a container systemhaving a container cover, according to some embodiments herein;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are each cross-sectional views of a container systemhaving a sub-container, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container system having a lid with aplurality of stand-offs disposed thereon, according to some embodimentsherein;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container system of FIG. 5 takenalong line 6-6, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container system depicting a firstcontainer aligning with a second container, according to someembodiments herein;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container system depicting a firstcontainer in a stacked configuration with a second container, accordingto some embodiments herein;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the container system of FIG. 8 takenalong line 9-9, according to some embodiments herein;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container system depicting aplurality of different sized containers aligned with each other,according to some embodiments herein; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container system depicting aplurality of different sized containers in a stacked configuration,according to some embodiments herein;

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein relate to container systems that provide, in variousconfigurations, convenient and efficient storage for a wide variety andtypes of items. In some embodiments, one or more of the containersystems disclosed herein may be used to conveniently and efficientlystore quantities of food product(s) in a well-organized manner.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative retail package 100 is illustrated.In the example of FIG. 1, package 100 is a retail container of pasta.The package depicted in FIG. 1 may be typical of a retail packagecommercially available for purchase by a consumer for use in aresidential context. Package 100 is illustrated as having one or morelabels 105 and 110. Label 105 may primarily include a name (e.g., abrand name or a generic descriptor) of the product contained integralto, or within package 100 or some other descriptive identifier. Label110 may include additional information related to the contents ofpackage 100 such as, for example, cooking/preparation instructions,nutritional information, ingredient listing, recipes, etc. In someaspects, labels 105, 110, and other labels (not shown) may includepictures and other graphics.

In general, a label as used herein may encompass any physical mediahaving text, graphics, or other indicia printed or stored thereon. Insome embodiments, text and graphics may be printed on a paper or othersheet material. In some embodiments, a machine readable code (e.g., abarcode or a Quick Response, QR, code) may be printed on the label. Insome aspects, a label herein may include program instructions executableby a computer or processor that are stored on a tangible media product.

It is noted that package 100 does not imply any limits onto products orpackages of products that may, in one way or another, be referencedand/or used or associated with an embodiment of a container systemherein.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative depiction of a container system 200, inaccordance with some embodiments herein. Container system 200 includes acontainer housing 205. Container housing 205 generally includes a bottomor floor (not shown) and a plurality of integrally connected walls 210,215, 220, and 225. The bottom and plurality of integrally connectedwalls each have an interior face and an outwardly facing exterior face.The interior faces of the bottom and plurality of integrally connectedwalls cooperate to define an interior holding area 230 within containerhousing 205. In some embodiments, container system 205 may include asealable lid (not shown).

In some aspects, container housing 205 may be suitably sized to receiveproduct decanted or emptied from another container or package such as,for example, package 100. In some embodiments, container housing 205 maybe sized to hold a predetermined volume of product, wherein thatpredetermined volume corresponds to an industry or marketplace“standard” or conventional packaging size. For example, the interiorholding area 230 of container 205 may be sized or have a volumesufficient to receive one or more units of a “conventional” sized retailpackage of a 14.5 ounce package of dry pasta, a 5 pound bag of sugar,rice, or flour, etc.

A container cover 235 is shown coupled to an exterior face of one of thewalls (e.g., wall 210) of container housing 205. Container cover 235 maygenerally comprise a bottom wall 240, a pair of opposing sidewalls 245and 250 that are integrally connected to bottom wall 240, and a facepanel 255 integrally connected to the bottom wall and the sidewalls ofthe container cover. In some aspects, a space, chamber or void 260 iscreated or defined between an interior surface of face panel 255 and theexterior face of the wall (e.g., 210) to which the container cover iscoupled. Container cover 235 is shown attached to wall 210 in FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, container cover 235 may also include a top wall (notshown) opposite bottom wall 240 that attaches to and cooperates withsidewalls 245, 250 to form a cover(ing) to seal a top portion of space260. In some aspects, the top wall of container cover 235 may beselectively opened, closed, removed, and replaced by a user. In someembodiments container cover 235 may be selectively removed from andreplaced to container housing 205 by a user.

In some embodiments, a container cover may be attached to two or morewalls of a container. For example, embodiments herein may include acontainer cover (not shown) that is attached to an exterior face of two(or more) walls of a container housing (e.g., walls 210 and 215 ofcontainer housing 205), wherein such a container cover wraps around thecorner(s) joining the walls. In some embodiments, a container housingherein may have more than one container cover attached or couple to theexterior walls thereof, where the more than one container covers areattached to at least one of the walls of the container housing.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more labels such as, for example,labels 105 and 110 may be placed or disposed into void 260. The label(s)may be securely held within space 260 by virtue of the presence anddimensions of bottom wall 240, sidewalls 245, 250, and face panel 255 ofcontainer cover 235, and, in some instances, a top wall (not shown). Insome instances, labels 105 and 110 may be removed from package 100. Insome other instances, labels 105 and 110 may be created or obtained by auser from a source other than package 100. In some embodiments, labelsplaced within void 260 may comprise a repositionable label having aremovable adhesive that allows the labels to be applied, cleanlyremoved, and reapplied on at least some surfaces.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of face panel 255 is eithersemitransparent or transparent. In the instance at least a portion offace panel 255 is either semitransparent or transparent, then thelabel(s) contained between face panel 255 and the exterior wall of thecontainer housing 205 may be visible to a user. In particular, thewritings, pictures, icons, and other indicia on the label(s) may belegible to a user through the semitransparent or transparent portion offace panel 255 so that the user can readily read or interpret thewritings, pictures, icons, and other indicia thereon.

In some embodiments, container cover 235 is integrally or fixedlyattached to container housing 205. In some embodiments, container cover235 may be removably attached to container housing 205. The mechanism(s)for attaching the container cover to the container housing may beadapted to fit a particular, desired application based on factors suchas, for example, whether the container cover will be removable or fixed,the material used to construct the container cover and/or the containerhousing, the intended use of the container system, and other factors. Insome aspects, container housing and a container cover attached theretomay be manufactured of a ceramic, plastic, glass, metal, or other typesof materials. In an instance the container housing and the containercover(s) attached thereto are manufactured of, at least in part, amagnetic material, then the cover container may be (removably) attachedto container housing by a magnetic coupling mechanism.

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B each illustrate means or mechanisms that may be usedto couple or otherwise attach a container cover to a container housingaccording to some embodiments herein. FIG. 3 is a top-down sectionalview of a container system 300 having a container housing 305 and acontainer cover 310. As shown, container cover 310 and container housing305 cooperate to define a void or space 315 to accommodate one or morelabels therebetween. In the example of FIG. 3, labels 320 and 325 aredisposed in space 315. Furthermore, container housing 305 includes acover coupling 330 that is integral to an exterior face of a wall of thecontainer housing. Cover coupling 330 may extend around an extant of theexterior face of the wall of the container housing, including one ormore sides corresponding to the dimensions and configuration ofcontainer cover 310. Container cover 310 may include a containercoupling 335 integral thereto to engage with the cover coupling ofcontainer housing 305. In the example of FIG. 3, container coupling 335“snaps” or slides over the cover coupling 330 of the container housingin order to couple the container cover to the container housing.

FIG. 3A is a top-down sectional view of a container system 340 having acontainer housing 305 and a container cover 310, similar to FIG. 3.Container cover 310 and container housing 305 cooperate to define aspace 315 that accommodates one or more labels therebetween. Containerhousing 305 includes a cover coupling 345 that is integral to anexterior face of a wall of the container housing. Cover coupling 345 mayextend around an extant of the exterior face of the wall of thecontainer housing, including one or more sides corresponding to thedimensions and configuration of container cover 310. Container cover 310may include a container coupling 350 integral thereto to engage withcover coupling 345 of container housing 305. In the example of FIG. 3A,container coupling 350 “snaps” or slides inside of cover coupling 345 ofthe container housing in order to couple the container cover to thecontainer housing.

FIG. 3B is a top-down sectional view of another container system 355that includes a container housing 305 and a container cover 310. Asshown, container cover 310 and container housing 305 also cooperate inthis example to define a void or space 315 to accommodate one or morelabels therebetween. Container housing 305 includes a cover coupling 360that is integral to an exterior face of a wall of the container housing.Cover coupling 360 may extend around an extant of the exterior face ofthe wall of the container housing, including one or more sidescorresponding to the dimensions and configuration of container cover310. Container cover 310 may include a container coupling 365 integralthereto to engage with the cover coupling of container housing 305. Inthe example of FIG. 3B, container coupling 365 “snaps” into the covercoupling recess 360 of the container housing in order to couple thecontainer cover to the container housing.

It will be appreciated that while FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B each illustratemeans or mechanisms that may be used to couple or otherwise attach acontainer cover to a container housing according to some embodimentsherein, these examples are not intended to nor do they represent anexhaustive listing or the full scope of the container housing andcontainer cover coupling means herein.

FIG. 4A is an illustrative depiction of a container system, generallyreferenced at numeral 400. Container system 400 includes a maincontainer 405, a lid 410, and a sub-container 415. Main container 405may generally include a bottom wall 420 and a plurality of sidewalls(e.g., 425 and 430) integrally connected to the bottom wall. In someaspects, the bottom wall and sidewalls have an interior face thatcooperate and define an interior holding area 435 of the main container.Main container 405 may also include a sub-container coupling 440 formedin or on at least one of the interior faces of at least one of thesidewalls within the interior holding area 435 of main container 405.Sub-container coupling 440 may be formed in or on, for example, one,two, or four of the sidewalls of a main container of container system400. Sub-container 415 may be adapted to be removably coupled orattached to sub-container coupling 440 such that the sub-container maybe selectively disposed in interior holding area 435 of main container405. In some embodiments, sub-container 415 may have a bottom wall 445integrally connected with a plurality of sidewalls (e.g., 450 and 455)of the sub-container, where the bottom wall and sidewalls of thesub-container have an interior face defining an interior holding area460 of the sub-container.

In some embodiments, an upper peripheral portion of the sidewalls ofsub-container 415 are substantially even with an upper peripheralportion of the sidewalls of main container 405 when sub-container 415 isattached to sub-container coupling 440 and disposed in interior holdingarea 435 of the main container. In this manner, as illustrated in FIG.4A, the upper peripheral portion of the sidewalls of sub-container 415and the upper peripheral portion of the sidewalls of main container 405are substantially even and lid 410 can easily and efficiently cover boththe main container and the sub-container. In some embodiments, the upperperipheral portion of the sidewalls of sub-container 415 are lower thanan upper peripheral portion of the sidewalls of main container 405 whensub-container 415 is attached to sub-container coupling 440 and disposedin interior holding area 435 of main container 405. Here also, lid 410may still easily and efficiently cover both the main container and thesub-container. When lid 410 is placed atop of and covers a top openingof both the main container and the sub-container as shown in FIG. 4A,container system 400 provides a storage system wherein multiples thereofmay be efficiently and neatly arranged, including stacked, in or on ashelf, counter, cupboard, or other location. In some embodiments,sub-container 415 includes a container coupling 465 that engages withsub-container coupling 440 to removably couple or attach thesub-container to main container 405. In some instances, containercoupling 465 of sub-container 415 may be located at or along at leastone peripheral edge of the sub-container. In some aspects, the location,size, and overall configuration of the container coupling of asub-container may correspond to the location, size, and configuration ofa main container's sub-container coupling to which it will mate.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4B, main container 405 may beformed such that a lower portion of the side walls 425 and 430 arethicker than an upper terminal portion of the side walls, where an upperterminal end of the thicker lower side-wall portion forms a “shoulder”that may support the bottom of sub-container 415. In some embodiments,sub-container 415 may be formed with a ridge, lip, or other protrusionon an upper edge of the interior wall to enable easier removal ofsub-container 415 from main container 405. In some embodiments,sub-container 415 may be formed with a slot, recession, or any othertype or configuration of hand-hold that may be easily gripped by theuser when removing the sub-container from main container 405.

In some aspects, lid 410 may operate to provide a relatively air-tightseal at an open end of main container 405 and sub-container 415. In someembodiments, sub-container 415 may matingly fit into main container 405and form a relatively air-tight seal between main container 405 andsub-container 415.

In some embodiments herein, the volume of the interior holding area ofmain container 405 below sub-container 415 (indicated by A in FIG. 4A)may be predetermined and sized to accommodate (at least) a “standard”packaging volume. For example, the volume of this area may be sized tohold a “standard” 5 pound bag of flour, a 1 pound bag of beans, a 14ounce box of breakfast cereal, a 2.5 ounce container of spice, etc.

In some aspects herein and as depicted in FIG. 4A, the volume of theinterior holding area of sub-container 415 (indicated by B in FIG. 4A)may be predetermined and sized to accommodate about 15% to about 50% ofa “standard” packaging volume, including in some embodiments about 20%to about 30%. For example, the volume of this area may be sized to holdabout 20% of a “standard” 5 pound bag of flour, a 1 pound bag of beans,a 14 ounce box of breakfast cereal, a 2.5 ounce container of spice, etc.

In some embodiments, an indication such as a printed line or some otherindicia may be provided on main container 405 to indicate a “re-stock”volume of the main container that is about the same volume as the volumeor holding capacity of sub-container 415. For example, referring to FIG.4A, the volume of area B and B′ may be approximately equal to eachother.

In some embodiments, a retail package of a product (e.g., uncookedbasmati rice) may be decanted into a container system such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 4A. An existing or “older” quantity of the productmay be housed in sub-container 415 (i.e., the “older” product area)while the new, more-recently purchased quantity of the product may bedecanted into and contained in interior holding area 435 (i.e., the“new” product area). In a particular use-case, a user may remove lid 410to access and remove the product from sub-container 415 when they desireto use the product. In this manner, the “older” supply of the productmay be used before the “newer” supply of the product is accessed. Whenthe supply of the “older” product is depleted from sub-container 415,the sub-container 415 may then be removed, and the newer product housedin the main container 405 may be accessed. Furthermore, when thequantity of product in main container 405 is depleted to the “restock”point, where the quantity of product is of a volume equal to or lessthan the level indicated by the indicia at B′, the user is then able toremove the product in the main container 405, and decant this olderproduct, in full, into sub-container 415, thus enabling the refilling ofmain container 405 with a newly purchased quantity of the product, andthe replacing of sub-container 415, containing the relatively olderproduct) atop the newer product now contained within main container 405,without co-mingling the newer product with the relatively older product.

As demonstrated by the foregoing use-case example, container system 400may provide a container that can accommodate both “older” and “newer”product stock in a single container system. As demonstrated, use of sucha system provides the benefit(s) of efficiently storing acurrent/existing supply of stock and an inventory supply of productstock that may be use in the future, wherein each store of the productis housed in separate compartments within the same container system.Accordingly, a user need not store both a current/existing supply ofstock in a product decanter and an “back-up” inventory supply of productstock in a separate retail or other storage container.

In some embodiments, aspects of container system 400 may include arelatively uniform shape. For example, container system 400 maygenerally comprise right-angled walls. As such, multiples of containersystem 400 may be neatly and efficiently stacked or configured on ashelf or counter, thereby maximizing the use of such spaces whileproviding, for example, a container that can accommodate both “older”and “newer” product stock in a single container system.

In some embodiments, container system 400 may generally form acylindrical shape. In some embodiments, container system 400 may beformed with walls of main container 405 and sub-container 415intersecting the bottom of each container at radiused corners (i.e., theinterior corners of the container are rounded), to facilitate easierremoval from the container with measuring devices such as measuring cupsor measuring spoons.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an illustrative depiction of a containersystem 500. Container system 500 includes a container 505 having abottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrally connected to thesidewalls, the bottom wall and sidewalls having an interior facedefining an interior holding area of the container with an open top. InFIG. 5, the otherwise open top of container 505 is covered by a lid 510.Referring to lid 510, the lid has a lower face (not visible in FIG. 5)to directly interface with and cover the open top of container 505 and aplurality of stand-offs 515, 520, and 525 disposed on an upper surface512 of the lid. At least one of the stand-offs (520, 515) have a keyedconfiguration to receive a bottom of another container in apredetermined orientation. For example, stand-offs 515 and 520 comprisea substantially rectangular shaped mass of material having upstandingvertical walls that meet at about a 90° angle. As such, stand-offs 515and 520 may operate to lift and retain or urge another container placedthereon upwards off of the upper surface 512 of the lid and towards acenter portion of the lid. In contrast to stand-offs 515 and 520,stand-off 525 may operate to lift another container placed thereonupwards off of the upper surface 512 of the lid. In some embodiments,the keyed stand-offs may be located, at least, at one or more cornerlocation of lids 510.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative depiction of two container systems hereinconfigured in a stacked configuration, generally referenced by numeral600. FIG. 6 includes a sectional view of container 505 of FIG. 5 asviewed from the perspective of line 6-6. System 600 includes container505 and the corresponding lid 510 of FIG. 5, as well as a container 605.Container 605 is shown aligned with lid 505 and stacked on cornerstand-offs 520, 515 and center stand-off 525. The combination ofstand-offs 515, 520, 525 cooperate to support the bottom of container605 in a spaced-apart configuration off of the upper surface 512 of lid510. In this manner, airflow between containers 505 and 605 may befacilitated and encouraged by system 600. In some contexts, such as butnot limited to a food storage context, a flow of ambient air to allsides of a storage container including the bottom, top, and sides, evenwhen stacked one on another, may be beneficial. The stand-offs disposedon the lid in FIGS. 5 and 6 may facilitate the flow of air over andaround the surfaces of the containers therein. In some aspects, theoverall orientation of the sidewalls of the depicted containers may alsocontribute to the flow of air over and around the surfaces of thecontainers shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative depiction of a container system 700. Containersystem 700 includes, as an example and not a limitation, twocontainers—container 705 having lid 710 and container 715 having lid720. As shown, each of the containers 705 and 715 have a plurality offeet disposed or located on a bottom surface of the containers.Container 705 has feet 745 and 750 for example, whereas container 715has feet interior feet 735, 740 and corner feet 760, 770. As furtherdepicted in FIG. 7, at least some of the feet on the bottom of container715 (e.g., 735, 740, and other interior feet) may be matingly alignedwith receptacles (e.g., 725, 730) disposed on lid 710 while other feet(e.g., 760, 770, and other corner feet) on the bottom of the containerrest on the planar upper surface of lid 710. Together, the feet on thebottom of container 715 and the receptacles on lid 710 cooperate tosecurely stack and align the two containers 705 and 715.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of a system of containers 800. FIG. 8 shows acontainer 805 with a corresponding lid 810 and a container 815 with acorresponding lid 820, all in a stacked configuration. System 800includes corner feet (e.g., 835, 840) and receptacles located on thelids (e.g., 825, 830). The feet on the bottom of the containers and thereceptacles on the lids cooperate to securely stack and align the twocontainers 805 and 815.

FIG. 9 includes a sectional view of container 805 with corresponding lid810 and container 815 with corresponding lid 820 of FIG. 8, as viewedfrom the perspective of line 9-9. FIG. 9 illustrates the feet on thebottom of both containers 805 and 815. For example, corner feet 925 and930 and interior located feet 910 and 920 are shown disposed on thebottom of container 815. Additionally, FIG. 9 illustrates interiorlocated feet 910 and 920 being aligned with and received in receptacles905 and 915 located on the upper surface of lid 810.

In some aspects, containers having a similar or same size may be stackedonto each other as depicted in FIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments, containersystems of different sizes including one or more container systemfeatures disclosed herein may be aligned and stacked. FIG. 10illustrates a containers 1000 that includes a container 1005 having alid 1010, container 1015 having a lid 1020, container 1025 having a lid1030, and container 1035 having a lid 1040. As shown, each container hasa plurality of feet (e.g., 1045, 1050, 1055, 1060, 1070, 1075, 1080) andthe lids may contain a plurality of receptacles (e.g., 1065, 1085) forreceiving the feet located on the bottom of the containers. FIG. 10illustrates how containers of different sizes may be organized andaligned for stacking in accordance herewith.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative depiction of four containers 1105, 1110,1115, and 1120 in a stacked configuration. Each of the containers ofFIG. 11 have a plurality of feet located on a bottom surface thereof(e.g., 1125, 1130, 1135), although all of such feet are not visible inFIG. 11. Also, each of the containers of FIG. 11 have a plurality ofreceptacles located on the lids that cover the containers, including butnot limited to the receptacles shown (e.g., 1140, 1150) and those notvisible in FIG. 11.

In addition to the exemplary embodiments described hereinabove, it willbe understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure and that the invention herein is not limitedto the specific forms shown or described. For example, features of thevarious embodiments depicted herein, for example features shown in FIGS.2, 4, 5, and 7, may be combined. In some such combinations some, but notnecessarily all, of the features of a particular embodiment may becombined with one or more other embodiments.

These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangementof other elements without departing from the scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withspecific exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that variouschanges, substitutions, and alterations apparent to those skilled in theart can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A container system, the system comprising: acontainer having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrallyconnected to the sidewalls, the bottom wall and sidewalls having aninterior face defining an interior holding area of the container with anopen top; and a lid, the lid having a lower face to directly interfacewith and cover the open top of the container and a plurality ofstand-offs disposed on an upper surface of the lid, at least one of thestand-offs having a keyed configuration to receive a bottom of anothercontainer in a predetermined orientation.
 22. The container of claim 21,wherein the plurality of stand-offs disposed on the upper surface of thelid comprise a stand-off disposed in a plurality of corner locations ofthe lid.
 23. The container of claim 21, wherein the plurality ofstand-offs disposed on the upper surface of the lid comprise at leastone stand-off disposed in an interior field region away from aperipheral edge of the upper surface of the lid.